Indira – Abdullah Agreement of 1975 | Indian Constitution Download PDF

Indira – Abdullah Agreement of 1975 | Indian Constitution Download PDF

Notwithstanding the liberal measures introduced in the State by the adoption of a separate State Constitution, the pro-Pakistani elements in Jammu & Kashmir continued their agitation for the holding of a plebiscite to . finally determine whether the State should accede to Inidia or Pakistan and there were violent incidents initiated by the ‘Plebiscite Front’,—a pro-Pakistani party which had been formed with the avowed object of secession from India. Sheikh Abdullah got involved in these anti-Indian movements and went on criticising the Indian policy towards the State, as a result of which he had to be placed under preventive detention in 1955. After a short release in 1964 on the profession of a changed attitude, he again went wrong, so that he was again detained in 1965 under the D.I.R., and eventually extemed from the State in 1971. This was followed by a period of blowing hot and cold, leading to a series of negotiations between the representatives of India and the Plebiscite Front, and an agreement was eventually reached and announced, on February 24, 1975.

The net political result of this Agreement was that the demand for plebiscite was abandoned by Abdullah and his followers and, on the other hand, it was agreed that the special status of the State of Jammu & Kashmir would continue to remain under the provisions of Art. 370 of the Constitution of India, which was described as a ‘temporary’ measure, in the original Constitution. A halt was, thus, cried to the progress of integration of this State with the Union of India, which had started in 1954, by giving larger autonomy to the State Assembly in certain matters.

It should, however, be mentioned that owing to differences over matters arising out of the Agreement, it has not been implemented by issuing a fresh Presidential Order under Art. 370.